
Melanie Marsell
Based in Miami, FL
Costa Rica native (yes, tica), previously based in Mexico, and travel expert who has been in the industry since 2011!
Dog Mom toCaira

Not as a destination, but as home.
Melanie was born and raised here, and Kathleen has lived here for over a decade. We met while working as Costa Rica travel specialists, bonding over a shared love of true crime podcasts at a happy hour, and not long after, set off on a two-week working trip together we still jokingly refer to as "the honeymoon."
We've spent our careers learning what actually makes a trip work (and what doesn't).
We began traveling more intentionally: learning about responsible & sustainable tourism, building relationships throughout the region, and seeing firsthand how much better travel can be when it's done right. That's when the idea for our agency was born.
That perspective shaped everything we do.
As we expanded beyond Costa Rica (into Mexico, Patagonia, the Galápagos, and beyond!), we didn't just add destinations. We built relationships. We vetted hotels, guides, and experiences to meet the same level of care and quality we learned from the very beginning in Costa Rica.
So when you travel with us, you're not guessing. You're stepping into a network that's been built, tested, and refined over years on the ground.
And that changes everything.
See how we plan your trip
Every trip is built by someone who knows your destination deeply. Not from research, but from being there. You'll have one dedicated expert who knows your itinerary inside and out, backed by our local network we've spent years cultivating. Between us, nothing gets missed.
ETA intentionally builds regional operational capacity by working with team members and destination specialists based within Latin America rather than relying exclusively on U.S.-based planning infrastructure.

Based in Miami, FL
Costa Rica native (yes, tica), previously based in Mexico, and travel expert who has been in the industry since 2011!


Based in Costa Rica
Biologist turned travel designer, with over a decade living in Costa Rica (and no plans to leave!) and a decade of experience in the industry.

Chief of Staff
Based in Costa Rica
Leading operations and partner relationships across the region, ensuring every moving piece comes together seamlessly.


Head of Creative · Colombia
Based in Colombia
Head of creative, operations expert, and everything in between.


Operations · Bolivia
Based in Bolivia
Operations and logistics expert based in Bolivia, a dedicated yogi.

Three things we don't compromise on, because they're the reason this company exists in the first place.
ETA intentionally operates a low-volume, high-touch planning model that prioritizes traveler quality and destination stewardship over mass tourism scale.
We prioritize locally owned partners, thoughtful experiences, and places that care for their communities and environment, so your trip not only feels better, it is better.
No chatbots. No ticketing systems. No call centers. Just a direct line to a real human who knows your trip, before you go and while you're traveling.
No pre-set packages. No fixed schedules with strangers. Every day is built around your pace, your interests, and your priorities, so the trip feels like yours from start to finish.
Explore the Americas was built around the belief that travel in Latin America should directly benefit the people and places that make the region extraordinary. Our model prioritizes locally owned businesses, long-term regional partnerships, slower and more intentional travel, and on-the-ground expertise from team members who live within the destinations we sell. Rather than operating as a high-volume tour company, we focus on highly customized itineraries that distribute tourism dollars more responsibly, encourage deeper cultural connection, and support conservation-minded experiences throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
We intentionally design itineraries around locally owned and operated businesses, ensuring a greater percentage of tourism revenue remains within the destination economy. Our long-term regional partnerships mean we understand the real impact of where travelers stay, eat, and explore.
Our team speaks Spanish, lives in the region, understands cultural nuance, and works directly with locals. This fluency reduces the 'tourism bubble' effect, allowing travelers to experience authentic destinations and support community-driven economies rather than extractive ones.
ETA intentionally operates a low-volume, high-touch planning model that prioritizes traveler quality and destination stewardship over mass tourism scale. We build regional operational capacity by working with team members and destination specialists based within Latin America, keeping planning expertise local.
We've been quoted, interviewed, or featured by editors who know the difference between a good itinerary and a great one.
The Hive Mind
The Essentials: Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
The BiG Scuba Show
Episode 169: Dive the Americas
Destination on the Left
Bridging Cultures Through Scuba Diving Trips
Off-Gassing, A Scuba Podcast
Interview with Dive the Americas
Clients from Content
How to Get Your Community to Throw Their Money at You
Working on a story? Email info@exploretheamericastravel.com for press kit + founder interviews.
We're proudly women-owned, US-based, and a member of the trade organizations that hold Latin America travel design to a real standard. These partnerships mean better access, stronger protections, and trusted relationships on the ground.
Join over 10,000+ readers who get our best tips on where to go, when to go, and the lodges we keep coming back to. The same notes we send our friends. Two emails a month.
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